There are two ways a bassist can get started playing with bass effects pedals. Players can either choose to take the long route of slowly growing a collection of effects stompboxes coming from different brands to be chained together later on a pedalboard. Or a type of player who likes the idea of learn and play now using already a number of preset effects via multi-effects processor.
We have a saying, you don’t need more effects what you need is more practice which is true in many ways. On a bass, effects are utilize greatly to enhance an already good bassline by adding flavor to it using effects, balancing the tones through compression and using EQ or preamp to control and gain volume without sounding muddy.
With that being said, it is still skills that makes a great bass tone and bassline not the effects alone. In regards on using a multi or a stompboxes, there is no right or wrong whether you want to use multi’s or stompboxes as your effects. This all comes down on your preference and what you want because they all just work the same.
When talking about price, it varies for each and that includes the resale value. It is much easier to re-sell a second hand stompbox than a second hand multi-effects due to the upgrades when a new model comes out in the market. Nevertheless multi-effects processors is still a go to bass effects pedals by many bassist out there because of the cluster of presets effects, progammable effects user bank and other features included like tuner, drum machine, looper and multi-effects compact design.
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Zoom B1X FOUR Bass Multi-Effects Pedal
- Over 70 built-in effects
- 9 amp models for simulating classic rigs
- Up to 5 effects can be used simultaneously, chained together in any order
- Built-in expression pedal for control over any parameter
- Looper for recording up to 30 seconds / 64 beats of CD-quality audio
- 68 built-in rhythm patterns which can be used in conjunction with the Looper
- 50 memory locations for storing user-created patches
- and more
This small bass multi-effects processor from Zoom on a budget friendly price is pack with features to go along with its presets of 70 built-in effects namely a variation of distortion, compression, modulation, delay, reverb, and amp models etc.
Programming is simple and the use of the effects processor is pretty straightforward which is perfect for a budding bassist to play the bass with effects. Choose and play with 5 effects simultaneously chained anyway you like. Together with the 68 built-in rhythm pattern for accompaniment during practice or on-stage performance and record up to 30 seconds of CD-quality audio using the looper included with the machine. It also has a built-in tuner which is an essential pedal to have on any pedalboard.
The Zoom B1X FOUR is ideal for budding bassist who already wants to start playing with effects without spending too much on one. The most commonly use effects of seasoned bassist like compression and modulations is present and just a stomp away.
VOX StompLab 2B Bass Multi-Effects Processor
- The effects unit is small, compact and enclosed on a road worthy casing
- Total of 100 different presets of effects
- 10 classic amp models
- Drives, compression, cabinet models, modulation effects, delay effects, reverb, noise reduction and volume pedal etc
- Store up to 20 programs
- Use up to 8 different effects simultaneously
- Built-in chromatic tuner to always keep your bass in perfect pitch
- and more
Another budget friendly multi-effects unit for beginners and even for experience bass players to have as well is the Vox Stamplab. The effects unit is small, compact and enclosed on a road worthy casing. To be describe as a great multi bass effects unit to be use on a studio, bedroom, dorm rooms and to bring along during travel.
The design of the stomplab is well thought of making it easy to use. The effects are divided in style categories. Each having 10 presets of effects dialed-in using the chicken knob rotary switches. Giving the user a total of 100 different presets of effects which is quite extensive on a small machine. It also features a user bank that you can store up to 20 programs, a chromatic tuner to always keep you in perfect pitch and use up to 8 different effects simultaneously as you prefer.
Overall this multi has lots of feature that a bassist needs to enhance their bass playing and to muster more voice with the presets of effects and amp models the machine is capable of simulating.
DigiTech BP90 Bass Multi-Effects Pedal
- Good beginner and stage bass multi-effects processor on a budget
- Enjoy playing with the 27 effects, 11 amps, 5 cabinets, and 5 stompboxes
- Features 100 presets locations, 50 user and 50 factor
- Built-in expression pedal for real time control over wah, volume, and DigiTech Whammy effects
- 40 high-quality drum patterns for practice or use it when covering songs
- Chromatic tuner to keep the instrument in perfect pitch
The BP90 from DigeTech is a good beginner and stage bass multi-effects processor that a bass player will enjoy playing with the 27 effects, 11 amps, 5 cabinets, and 5 stompboxes. The BP90 features 100 presets locations and also has 40 high-quality drum patterns for practice or use it when covering songs.
The flexibility of this multi-effects unit lays within the pre-programmed 50 factory presets, and 50 user presets that gives a bassist the freedom to be more creative on their tones and on the overall sound they want to produce on a bass. The unit also includes a chromatic tuner, a built-in expression pedal for real time control over wah, volume, and DigiTech Whammy effects and there are 40 high quality drum patterns which is great to play along during practice and can really helps improve timing, precision and keeps the creative juices flowing with the different beats it provides.
The DigiTech BP90 is a no cash pour to not consider it for a bass effects pedal. You can already do a lot with this multi-effects through the number of features just mentioned and the number of preset effects on the machine.
Zoom B3n Bass Multi-Effects Pedal
- 67 high-quality stompbox DSP effects
- 5 amp emulators plus 5 cabinet emulators
- Free ZOOM Guitar Lab Mac/Windows software allows for downloading of additional effects and patch management
- Use up to 7 effects simultaneously, chained together in any order
- Onboard chromatic tuner with dedicated footswitch
- Stereo/mono looper allows recording of up to 80 seconds of phrase recording
- 68 built-in rhythm patterns that can be used in
- conjunction with the looper
- and more
This multi-effects pedal from Zoom compared with other multi’s on the market today, it is much well received and stared highly in all reviews you can read about. For its affordable price, the features it offers is stage worthy and lets not forget to mention the number of well-known artist that use this effects machine.
The unit has a whooping 67 effects on its bank like a distortion, compression, modulation, delay, reverb and many more. It has 150 memory locations for storage to created patches and over 50 factory preset patches including personally designed effects by Victor Wooten, Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, David Ellefson of Megadeth, Frank Bello of Anthrax, and Doug Wimbish of Living Colour.
Also on the unit is an on-board chromatic tuner to keep your instrument always in tune. Supporting all standard bass tuning, including open and drop tuning. A looper feature to record up to 80 seconds of CD-quality recording and play along with 68 built-in rhythm patterns making each practice session interesting, enjoyable and a lot cooler because of the accompaniment it provides.
Considering this Zoom B3n bass multi effects pedal above all others is a great choice because of its affordable price, easy to use effects interface and the features it has in total. Highly recommended for beginners and seasoned bass players alike as their go to effects unit.
Boss ME-50B Bass Multi-Effects Processor
- Lightweight, solidly constructed made of die-cast aluminum housing to withstand beating
- Mix and match, or customize a wide variety of effects like compressor, overdrive, distortion, touch-wah, phaser, flanger, chorus, delay, reverb, defretter, synth, and more
- Effects can be edited using 23 knobs and controlled via three built-in footswitches and an assignable expression pedal
- Store patches you created in the ME-50B user memory bank and edit sounds using the EZ Edit mode
- Sound on sound recording with new Kick Drum effect for keeping time
Mix and match, or customize a wide variety of effects like compressor, overdrive, distortion, touch-wah, phaser, flanger, chorus, delay, reverb, defretter, synth, and more with this multi-effects processor from Boss called the Boss ME-50B Bass effect pedal. This top huncho of the multi-effects world is lightweight, solidly constructed made of die-cast aluminum housing to withstand beating and easy to use despite the number of knobs players needs to get familiar of.
Store patches you created in the ME-50B user memory bank and edit sounds using the EZ Edit mode on the machine base on your preference for a good clean bass tone or to add flavor to the sound using the effects features easily with just a press of a button and turn of a switch. The unit can run on six AA type battery or with a power adaptor. Inputs and outputs to hook up your bass and stereo outputs. Aux in jack for an MP3 player so you can jam along with tunes, and a tuner built-in as well for your bass to be in perfect pitch all the time.
Another recommended affordable bass multi-effects processor with a lot of features that can improve your sound and enhance the way you play the bass. Easily carve more tones and get all the essential effects in just one machine.
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